I have absolutely nothing of any importance to contribute to these pages at the moment.

I just wanted to say that tomorrow (today in fact because it's gone midnight) is my last working day in the Army. Kit will be handed back and with all the leave I have stored up, I don't need to get a real job until September.

I retired last year, so my experience might be of some help to you. On the other hand it might not, but here goes anyway.

Doing nothing is fantastic, albeit only for a short while. Have a fortnight or three weeks off and bloody well enjoy it. You've earned it.

After that if you're not careful the rot sets in. Longer nights, shorter days, fewer topic for discussion with your wife/family, the temptation to self-medicate, melancholy times when you miss the things that you thought you were escaping...

Hairy handbag is right. After your holiday make sure you have something to get up for, preferably something you enjoy.

I shall look back with fond memories when you dropped us in it by smoking in that TA Centre toilet, the bunny killing episode in Oxfordshire, and the mobile phone 'get out of jail free card' incident when comms were down. The Corps will be a poorer place without you in it. Good luck and I wish you all the very best in civvy street.

Have you still got that record of the 'regional' abuse you had to take. I seem to remember you were going to take the MoD to the cleaners when you leave.

Actually, I was almost depressed about it today; walking back from the QMs, it suddenly hit me that I no longer own so much as a pair of Army socks any more. Then I walked back into the office, saw the latest round of silly directives in my inbox and cheered up a bit.
Thanks for all the helpful advice, guys. The good news is that I still intend to post regularly on here, the bad news is that I will no longer be constrained by the CoC, so can say what I want. Or should that be the other way round?

EyeSpy: You had to remind me of that poor bunny, didn't you? I still feel guilty about that, and dream of the little starving baby rabbits, waiting for daddy to come home with some food! Had to drop the plans for litigation after it was explained to me that being a Scouser, I am not actually a member of an ethnic minorty.

Int Corps WO2 Mess Kit for sale.
Waist 32", chest about 42" but don't actually know (it doesn't matter because you don't close the bloody jacket), length to fit a 6'1" male.
Waistcoat fabric at the back is not correct colour but front panels are OK, so no-one will notice. I got away with it for 16 years and didn't get one single port fine. Not for the waistcoat anyway.
Would suit a tall, skinny streak of p1ss who is too mean to buy a new one.
Cost: No money required, but request that a suitable donation to ICA is made.

Actually, I was almost depressed about it today; walking back from the QMs, it suddenly hit me that I no longer own so much as a pair of Army socks any more.

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I'm told you may still have a car bag, set of map books and a shell card on a 1033 somewhere? Also, there is someone else who still wants to speak to you about a blue 109" landrover last seen in BG (S)